[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6816-S6817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 258--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20 THROUGH 26, 
     2015, AS ``NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK''

  Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Alexander, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Collins, 
Mr. Reed, Mr. Donnelly, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 258

       Whereas the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and 
     Development reports that approximately 36,000,000 adults in 
     the United States lack the basic literacy and numeracy 
     necessary to succeed at home, in the workplace, and in 
     society;
       Whereas the literacy of the people of the United States is 
     essential for the economic and societal well-being of the 
     United States;
       Whereas the United States reaps the economic benefits of 
     individuals who improve their literacy, numeracy, and 
     English-language skills;
       Whereas literacy and educational skills are necessary for 
     individuals to fully benefit from the range of opportunities 
     available in the United States;
       Whereas the economy and position of the United States in 
     the world marketplace depend on having a literate, skilled 
     population;
       Whereas the unemployment rate in the United States is 
     highest among those without a high school diploma or an 
     equivalent credential, demonstrating that education is 
     important to economic recovery;
       Whereas the educational skills of the parents of a child 
     and the practice of reading to a child have a direct impact 
     on the educational success of the child;
       Whereas parental involvement in the education of a child is 
     a key predictor of the success of a child, and the level of 
     parental involvement in the education of a child increases as 
     the educational level of the parent increases;
       Whereas parents who participate in family literacy programs 
     become more involved in the education of their children and 
     gain the tools necessary to obtain a job or find better 
     employment;
       Whereas, as a result of family literacy programs, the lives 
     of children become more stable, and the success of children 
     in the classroom and in future endeavors becomes more likely;
       Whereas adults need to be part of a long-term solution to 
     the educational challenges faced by the people of the United 
     States;
       Whereas many older people in the United States lack the 
     reading, math, or English-language skills necessary to read a 
     prescription and follow medical instructions, which endangers 
     the lives of the older people and the lives of their loved 
     ones;
       Whereas many individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, 
     or receive public assistance lack the literacy skills 
     necessary to obtain and keep a job, to continue their 
     education, or to participate in job training programs;
       Whereas many high school dropouts do not have the literacy 
     skills necessary to complete their education, transition to 
     postsecondary education or career and technical training, or 
     obtain a job;
       Whereas a large portion of individuals in prison have low 
     educational skills and prisoners without educational skills 
     are more likely to return to prison once released;
       Whereas many immigrants in the United States do not have 
     the literacy skills necessary to succeed in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week 
     highlights the need to

[[Page S6817]]

     ensure that each individual in the United States has the 
     literacy skills necessary to succeed at home, at work, and in 
     society: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of September 20 through 26, 2015, 
     as ``National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week'' to 
     raise public awareness about the importance of adult 
     education, workforce skills, and family literacy;
       (2) encourages people across the United States to support 
     programs to assist individuals in need of adult education, 
     workforce skills, and family literacy programs;
       (3) recognizes the importance of adult education, workforce 
     skills, and family literacy programs; and
       (4) calls upon public, private, and nonprofit entities to 
     support increased access to adult education and family 
     literacy programs to ensure a literate society.

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